Seth Meyers Expresses Anxiety About "Late Night's" Future: 'It Feels Strange Without Control'

Seth Meyers Reflects on the Future of Late-Night TV

Seth Meyers, known for his work on Late Night with Seth Meyers, has expressed concerns about the long-term viability of late-night television in an evolving media landscape. His remarks, made during a conversation with Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast, took on new significance after CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. The decision has prompted Meyers to reflect more deeply on the challenges facing his own show and the broader industry.

When asked if he fears for the future of Late Night, Meyers confirmed that he does. “I mean, only because it is such a time we're living in, as far as the entertainment industry,” he said. As a former Saturday Night Live cast member, Meyers acknowledged that his decade-long tenure on Late Night has been part of what he calls “the precarious part” of late-night talk shows’ history.

Meyers shared that his anxiety about the show’s future no longer stems from doubts about his own performance. Instead, he now worries about external factors beyond his control. “There is this weird thing that I feel like I shifted from fearing that I wouldn’t be good enough, and now my fear is weirdly more outside of my control — which is just at some point, the ecosystem might not support it,” he explained. While he admits this shift is somewhat comforting, it also feels unsettling to have so little influence over the outcome.

Despite these concerns, Meyers seems at peace with the possibility that Late Night may one day come to an end. “This isn’t the best time to be doing what I’m doing, but at least I got in,” he said. He takes pride in the impact his work has had, feeling that the world knows Seth Meyers in a way that makes him happy. “I’ve taken my opportunity to build a thing. I know what it means, and I think other people know what it means. So I’m happy about that.”

Meyers also discussed how important routine is for his mental health. He admitted that without the structure of Late Night, he would worry about his well-being. To balance his career, he has actively diversified his work through stand-up comedy and podcasts, including Family Trips With the Meyers Brothers and The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast.

However, despite these other projects, Meyers still considers Late Night his favorite. “I do still love Late Night the most,” he said. He described the show as having a strong sense of community and family. “Part of the wonderful thrill of stand-up is how it's a real solo effort, yet at the same time, I have a showbiz job that feels like home. It's the most comfortable place. Like, I have an office that I've been in for a long time. They just take such good care of me.”

Meyers also praised Stephen Colbert’s work on The Late Show, highlighting his “real paternal instinct.” This sentiment came as CBS recently announced that The Late Show will conclude in May 2026, citing financial challenges as the primary reason for the decision.

In a recent appearance on The Late Show, Meyers made a cameo alongside Jimmy Fallon, participating in a segment that spoofed the viral Coldplay jumbotron scandal. His comments on the Armchair Expert podcast offer a thoughtful perspective on the state of late-night television and the uncertainties that lie ahead for hosts like himself.